Oregon Ducks fall camp position breakdown: Running backs

Updated Aug 01, 2019; Posted Jul 26, 2019

Getty Images

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 31: CJ Verdell #34 of the Oregon Ducks carries the ball against the Michigan State Spartans during the first half of the Redbox Bowl at Levi's Stadium on December 31, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

The Oregonian/OregonLive will be previewing each of nine position groups leading up to the start of Oregon’s fall camp on Aug. 2. The second installment in the series reviews the running backs.

The top of the depth chart in Oregon’s backfield is set.

CJ Verdell is the bell cow of a deep group of running backs and Travis Dye is the change of pace option. Cyrus Habibi-Likio earned a bigger role after a big spring, while Darrian Felix lost ground late.

The additions of Sean Dollars and Jayvaun Wilson give the Ducks talented depth, but also begin to form a crowd.

Felix started spring well but ended it with a dud. He’s at the bottom of the totem pole among the returning backs and with two newcomers joining the mix, he could slip further.

Of the two freshmen Dollars was the higher-rated as a recruit and could be an option on special teams, particularly in the return game, where the Ducks need to identify who will be their primary options for the fall.

Battle to watch: Darrian Felix missed on a chance to solidify a bigger role when illness kept him out late in the spring. The arrival of Sean Dollars, who could be a special teams option and brings a different skill set to the table, as well as Jayvaun Wilson creates a log jam lower on the depth chart.

Keep an eye on: Dollars. He could easily be the fourth option this fall.